Embedded electronics for high convection cooling in an engine cooling motor application

Abstract

A cooling assembly includes an electric motor 10 for driving a fan 16 . At least one spoke structure 18 is coupled to and extends generally radially from a periphery of the motor body so as to be exposed to airflow caused by rotation of the fan 16 . An electronic component 24 of the motor is operatively associated with the spoke structure 18 such that heat of the electronic component is conducted to the spoke structure and to a spoke extension 22.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A motor assembly comprising: 
       an electric motor for driving a fan, the motor having a main body,  
       at least one spoke structure coupled to and extending generally radially from a periphery of the main body so as to be exposed to airflow caused by rotation of the fan; and  
       an electronic component of the motor operatively associated with the spoke structure such that heat of the electronic component is conducted to the spoke structure.  
     
     
       2. The motor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic component is embedded in the spoke structure. 
     
     
       3. The motor assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising a non-electrically conductive and thermally conductive fluid in contact with the electronic component. 
     
     
       4. The motor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic component is mounted in the main body and contacts a portion of the spoke structure. 
     
     
       5. The motor assembly of  claim 4 , further comprising a non-electrically conductive and thermally conductive fluid in contact with the electronic component. 
     
     
       6. The motor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of spoke structures are provided, with an electronic component being operatively associated with a respective one of the spoke structures. 
     
     
       7. The motor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic component is a MOSFET. 
     
     
       8. The motor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic component is a high heat generating electronic component. 
     
     
       9. The motor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the spoke structure is made at least partially from metal. 
     
     
       10. The motor assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the spoke structure is coupled to a spoke extension such that the spoke extension extends from an end of the spoke structure. 
     
     
       11. A motor assembly comprising: 
       an electric motor for driving a fan, the motor having a main body,  
       means for conducting heat coupled to and extending generally radially from a periphery of the main body so as to be exposed to airflow caused by rotation of the fan; and  
       an electronic component of the motor operatively associated with the means for conducting heat such that heat of the electronic component is conducted to the means or conducting heat,  
       wherein the means for conducting heat includes a plurality of spoke structures, with an electronic component being operatively associated with at least one of the spoke structures.  
     
     
       12. The motor assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the electronic component is embedded in the at least one spoke structure. 
     
     
       13. The motor assembly of  claim 12 , further comprising a non-electrically conductive and thermally conductive fluid in contact with the electronic component. 
     
     
       14. The motor assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the electronic component is a MOSFET. 
     
     
       15. The motor assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the electronic component is a high heat generating electronic component. 
     
     
       16. The motor assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one spoke structure is made at least partially from metal. 
     
     
       17. The motor assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one spoke structure is coupled to a spoke extension such that the spoke extension extends from an end of the at least one spoke structure. 
     
     
       18. A motor assembly comprising: 
       an electric motor for driving a fan, the motor having a main body,  
       means for conducting heat coupled to and extending generally radially from a periphery of the main body so as to be exposed to airflow caused by rotation of the fan; and  
       an electronic component of the motor operatively associated with the means for conducting heat such that heat of the electronic component is conducted to the means for conducting heat,  
       wherein the electronic component is mounted in the main body and contacts a portion of the means for conducting heat.  
     
     
       19. The motor assembly of  claim 18 , further comprising a non-electrically conducive and thermally conductive fluid in contact with the electronic component. 
     
     
       20. A method of providing an electric motor comprising: 
       providing a motor for driving a fan, the motor having a main body and spoke structure coupled to and extending generally radially from a periphery of the main body so as to be exposed to airflow caused by rotation of the fan; and  
       locating an electronic component of the motor to be operatively associated with the spoke structure such that heat from the electronic component is conducted to the spoke structure.